Kites



March 1966 w. B CURTIS ETAL 3,

KITES Original Filed April 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WWI Williom BobcockCurtis Wilbur Carleton Scoh INVENTORS i L ATTORNEYS March 22, 1966 w. B.CURTIS ETAL 3,241,793

KITES Original Filed April 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gav Fi 9. I3 sWiliiom Bobcock Curtis Wilbur Carleton Scoh INVENTORS L Fig. l4

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,241,793 KITES William BabcockCurtis, Dallas, Tex., and Wilbur Carleton Scott, PA). Box 149,Birmingham, Mich.; said Curtis assiguor to said Scott Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 187,343, Apr. 13, 1962. This application July 19,1963, Ser. No. 296,899 24 Claims. (Cl. 244-153) This application is acontinuation of our copending application, Serial No. 187,343, filedApril 13, 1962, now abandoned.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in kites and moreparticularly to ta-illess kites.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved kite which isaerodynamically designed so as to be stable in flight and to ascendvertically instead of at the usual inclination and which has theappearance of a rocket or missile, especially, when climbing.

Another object of the invention is toprovide an improved kite of oblongshape and of an aerodynamically low aspect ratio whereby the kite isstable in vertical flight and may have controlled instability to permitstunting thereof.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved kite ofaerodynamic design and balance and of a shape and contour which permitsthe kite to fly in a true vertical position as well as stunting, turningon its side and looping of said kite when the position of itsrestraining string is altered longitudinally of said kite.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved kitewhich is aerodynamically stable and of oblong shape with a dihedral noseor upper end portion and a lower portion of limited flexibility thatincreases downwardly of the kite whereby the wind or air currents aredeflected laterally by the dihedral portion and downwardly by the lowerportion so as to cause said kite to assume a vertical position whenascending.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved kite of oblongshape having a major portion thereof capable of undergoing limitedflexing longitudinally of the kite and adapted to deflect air currentslongitudinally downward of said kite, the upper end portion of said kitebeing substantially rigid and of an angular transverse contour havingconverging margins so as to be substantially triangular and presentdihedral surfaces for directing said kite vertically during climbingmovement thereof.

A specific object of the invention is to provide an improved kite, ofthe character described, which is of inexpensive construction and whichis so shaped aerodynamically that it undergoes movement from an airdeflection type of flight to an airfoil type of flight when the kitestring is released or slackened.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved kiteof such construction that it may be launched automatically by the forceof the wind when said kite is in a substantially vertical position andwhich will assume such position when released or permitted to ascend.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvide kite, ofthe character described, having substantially rigid, longitudinal,marginal means extending throughout its length and held in spacedrelationship by rigid, transverse means for supporting a cover ormembrane, together with means that the lower end of the kite for coatingengagement with a launchin gdevice for confining said kite in a proneposition and permitting pivotal movement thereof to a vertical positionfor ascension in the manner of a missile or rocket whereby it isunnecessary to hold or run with said kite in launching the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel launching devicefor coacting with a kite, of the character 3,241,793 Patented Mar. 22,1966 described, and having means for confining the lower end' of thekite while it is pivoted from a prone to a vertical position andpermitting disengagement and lifting of the vertically positioned kiteby the force of the wind.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved kite, of thecharacter described, having substantially rigid, longitudinal, centralmeans coextensive with its length for coacting with the longitudinalmarginal means in supporting the cover or membrane and dividing saidcover into a pair of identical halves or sections extendinglongitudinally of the kite for reinforcing said cover and coactingtherewith to form a pair of longitudinal channels or recesses fordirecting the wind or air currents downwardly of said kite.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved kite, ofthe character described, wherein the longitudinal central means may berestrained only at its upper portion so that its major portion is freeto undergo flexing movement with the major portion of the cover of thekite or may be connected to one or more of the rigid transverse means soas to be relatively immovable.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of a kite constructed in accordancewith the invention and in vertical flying position,

FIG. 2 is a rear, perspective view, similar to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 3-3of FIG. 1 showing the top spreader in elevation,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 4-4of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of a slightly modified kite,

FIG. 6 is a view, similar to FIG. 4, taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 7-7of FIG. 5, showing the bottom spreader in elevation and the flexingmovement of the lower end portion of the kite in broken lines,

FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, transverse, sectional view, taken on the line 9-9of FIG. 5,

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the kite in vertical flying position andshowing the direction of deflection of the wind or air currents,

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, perspective view of the lower end of the kiteengaged with a launching device and in horizontal or prone position,

FIG. 12 is a side, elevational view of the launching device and thelower end of the kite in prone position, the initial launching movementof said kite being shown in broken lines,

FIG. 13 is a top plan view, taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12,

FIG. 14 is an elevational view, taken on the line 14-14 of FIG. 12, I

FIG. 15 is a view, similar to FIG. 12, showing the kite in verticalposition and disengaged from the launching device, and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the medial portion of amodified bottom spreader attached to the central stringer.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an oblong, relatively-narrowkite having a pair of elongate frame members, rods, sticks or stringers11 at its longitudinal margins for supporting a cover or membrane 12 ofpaper,

plastics, foil, cloth or other suitable flexible material. Preferably,the stringers 11 (FIG. 2) are substantially rigid, coextensive with thelength of the kite and have converging upper end portions 13 whereby theupper end portion of said kite is substantially triangular. It is noted,however, that this triangular shape is not essential since the kiteupper end portion could be arced or bowed instead of terminating in anapex. Also, as will be explained, the stringers may terminate short ofthe upper end of the kite. An elongate central member, rod, stick orstringer 14, of substantially the same length, is disposed mediallybetween the stringers 11 and the upper ends of all three stringers areattached by a suitable fastener 15 so as to be in engagement. The cover12 is secured by an adhesive or other suitable means to the stringers 11and 14 and may terminate above the lower ends thereof. Due to the medialdisposition of the stringer 14, the kite and/or its cover is dividedinto a pair of identical longitudinal halves or sections 16. It is notedthat the stringers may be formed of wood, plastics, metal or othersuitable material having suflicient rigidity and strength and may berectangular or square in cross-section (FIGS. 3 and 4).

A rigid, transverse member, crossbar or spreader 17, of metal, wood orother suitable material, extends between the lower end portions of themarginal stringers 11, at or below the lower end of the cover 12. Asshown most clearly in FIG. 3, each end of the crossbar 17 may projectthrough and beyond a complementary, transverse opening 18 in each of themarginal stringers and may have an enlargement or shoulder 19 thereonfor bearing against the inner surface of each stringer to maintain saidstringers in spaced relationship. Preferably, the crossbar and openings18 are cylindrical and the enlargements 19 of said rod are in the formof collars or annular disks secured to said rod. For coacting with theenlargements, a rubber band 20 extends around and between the lower endportions of the stringers 11 so as to urge said stringers intoengagement with said enlargements. It is pointed out that the rubberband provides an inexpensive fastening means and that any adequatefastener may be employed to hold the stringers engaged with theenlargements 19. Preferably, the fastening means is detachable so as topermit removal of the crossbar 17 and folding or collapsing of the kitefor compact packaging and/or storage. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thelower end of the center stringer 14 is spaced from and may be free ofconnection with the crossbar; however, as shown in FIG. 16 and as willbe explained, said center stringer may be attached to said crossbar. Ifthe marginal stringers are not sufficiently rigid, one or moreadditional crossbars or spreaders may be provided.

Another rigid, transverse member, crossbar or spreader 21, of a materialsimilar to the stringer material, extends between the marginal stringers11, at or slightly above the lower extremities of their converging upperend portions 13. Each end of the spreader 21 has a notch 22 thereincomplementary to the cross-sectional shape of the stringers forreceiving the same (FIG. 4). If desired, the spreader may be of slightlyless length than the crossbar 17 so that the marginal stringers may notbe exactly parallel and may diverge downwardly. This non-parallelrelationship facilitates wedging engagement of the spreader with thestringers; however, said stringers may be parallel. A short,perpendicular arm or element 23 may extend from the medial portion ofthe spreader 21 and have a notch 24, similar to the notches 22, in itsouter end for receiving the center stringer 14. The inner end of the arm23, preferably, is secured to the spreader and may be notched in thesame manner as its outer end. To permit folding or collapsing of thekite, the spreader and its arm are removable. Due to the confinement ofthe outer ends of the spreader 21 by the marginal stringers 11, theperpendicular arm urges and holds the center stringer outwardly orlaterally at an acute angle or inclination in a plane at a right angleto the plane of the marginal stringers.

Since the upper end portion of the cover 12 is complementary to thisangular relationship, it is stretched taut so as to provide a pair ofcomplementary dihedral surfaces 25 which are substantially flat andwhich deflect the wind or air currents laterally of the kite, as shownby the arrows L in FIG. 10. When the spreader arm is used, theinclination of the dihedral surfaces is determined by the length of saidarm and is subject to variation. An angle of inclination of 25 relativeto the plane of the marginal stringers 11 is shown in FIG. 4, however,the angle thereof is not critical since it may vary approximatelybetween 15 and 40.

The lower or major portion of the cover 12 is of a width substantiallygreater than the distance between the marginal stringers 11 so as to berather loose or full for flexing movement relative to said stringers aswell as to the dihedral surfaces 25. This fullness or loosenessincreases progressively downward from a point a short distance below theupper spreader 21 to the lower end of the cover whereby the centerstringer 14 may extend at an angle to the plane of the marginalstringers with its lower end spaced from said plane. Also, the loosenessor fullness of the lower portion of the cover 12 is sutlicient to permitthe formation of a longitudinal channel or recess 26 in the lowerportion of each section 16 of said cover when the kite is flying, thechannels being complementary and having the shape of a longitudinalsegment of a cone due to the downwardly increasing width of said coverso as to deflect the wind or air currents downwardly of said kite, asshown by the arrows D in FIG. 10. Since the center stringer is attachedto the cover and may be otherwise unrestrained below the upper spreader,the major portion of said stringer may be movable with the flexing ofthe lower portion of said cover and provide a central, longitudinalreinforcement for said lower portion. A bridle 27 is fastened to thecenter stringer 14 adjacent the upper spreader 21 and substantiallymidway between said spreader and the lower end of said stringer forconnection with a cord or string 28. Preferably, the lower margin of thecover is reinforced by a cord or string 29 in the usual manner.

A kite 30 of slightly modified construction is shown in FIGS. 4-9 andincludes similar cylindrical marginal stringers 31, cover 32, stringerupper end portions 33, center cylindrical stringer 34 and longitudinalhalves or sections 36 of the cover and/or kite, the stringers beingsecured throughout their lengths to the cover. Instead of using thefastener 15, a cap 35, of plastics or other suitable material, may beprovided for confining the upper extremities of the stringers. As shownby the numeral 37 in FIG. 9, the upper ends of the marginal stringers 31are bent into parallel relation to the center stringer 34 for frictionalengagement within the cap which is ovoid in cross-section to dispose thestringer extremities in sideby-side relationship. A cylindrical crossbarof spreader 38, of plastics or other material and similar to thecrossbar 17, extends between and connects the lower end portions of themarginal stringers in spaced relation to the lower end of the centerstringer and has reduced end portions or axial pins 39 for projectingthrough cylindrical, transverse openings 40 in said marginal stringersand providing radial shoulders or enlargements 4-1 for hearing againstthe inner surfaces of the latter stringers (FIG. 8). The openings 40 areof slightly greater diameter than the pins 39 of the crossbar 38 andeach pin has one or more radial projections 42 spaced from the adjacentshoulder 41 so as to engage the outer surface of one of the stringers 31for restraining the lower end of the stringer. The projections 42 are ofsulficient resiliency to permit outward passage of the pins through theopenings and prevent relative inward movement except by force, wherebythe crossbar is removable to permit collapsing or folding of the kite.One or more similar crossbars or spreaders 43, having axial pins 44 ofreduced diameter and short length, may be employed if the marginalstringers are not sufliciently rigid and require reinforcement, theaddrtional spreaders being of less length than the crossbar 38 so thatsaid stringers converge upward slightly. Manifestly, the crossbars 38and 43 could be of the same construction as the crossbar 17.

A crossbar or spreader 45, of circular cross-section and of a materialsimilar to the material of the spreader 21, extends between the marginalstringers 31 adjacent their junctures with the converging upper endportions 33 thereof. The spreader 45 is angular .and has a pair ofcomplementary, obtusely-extending arms or legs 46 which may terminate inalined, outer end portions 47 formed by offsetting or bending the endsof said spreader toward its medial apex (FIG. 6). Pins 48, of reduceddiameter and of short length, project axially from the end portions 47of the spreader for engaging in complementary, transverse openings 49 inthe marginal stringers. As shown by the numeral 50, the apex of thespreader 45 is upset and has an arcuate recess or saddle for matingengagement with the center stringer 34 so as to urge and hold saidstringer laterally or outwardly at an acute angle in a planeperpendicular to the plane of the stringers 3'1 and provide a pair ofcomplementary dihedral surfaces 51 at the upper end portion of the cover32 for deflecting the wind or air currents laterally of the kite 30.

It is noted that the surfaces 51 are similar to the dihedral surfaces 25of the kite 10, but have less inclination due to the spreader 45 beingof less effective angularity than the spreader 21 and its arm 23.Although an angle of inclination of approximately 16 is shown in FIG. 6,this .angle is subject to variation as has been explained. Since thecover 32 is substantially identical to the cover 12, similarlongitudinal channels or recesses 52 are formed in the lower or majorportions of the longitudinal halves or sections 36 of said cover 32 fordeflecting the wind or air currents downwardly of the kite. Due to theoffsetting of the end portions 47 and the upsetting of the apex of thespreader, the cover is spaced from .and does not engage said spreader soas to reduce wear of said cover. If desired, the end portions of thespreader 45 may be notched in the same manner as the spreader 21 forfrictional engagement with marginal stringers. A bridle, similar to thebridle 23, for connecting a cord or string (not shown) to the kite maybe attached to the center stringer .as shown at 52 in FIG. 5. Also, thelower margin of the cover may be reinforced by a cord or string 53.

A novel device 55 for permitting automatic launching of the kite withoutmanual holding of and/or running with said kite is shown in FIGS. 11-15and may be formed of wire or other suitable material. The deviceincludes an elongate, horizontal bar or rod 56 having depending endportions or legs 57 which may be inwardly disposed and pointed forengagement in the ground. Each end of the rod 56 may be bent upwardly,downwardly and upwardly to provide an upwardly opening loop 58 havingupright, substantially parallel legs 59 .and 60. The loops 58 coact toprovide slots or ways for removably confining the pins 39 of thecrossbar 38 of the kite 30, or the projecting ends of the crossbar 17 ofthe kite 10, and the lower ends of said slots are enlarged by bowing oroffsetting the lower ends of the legs 60 away from the legs 59. Aninwardly-directed, horizontal arm 62 connects the upper end of each loopleg 60 to an inclined arm or diagonal portion 63 which is joined to theupper end of each depending leg 57. It is noted that the legs 57 provideconvenient means for preventing movement of the launching device andthat any suitable means may be utilized to anchor said device.

In use, the kite is laid on the ground or placed in prone position withits dihedral surf-aces and longitudinal channels facing upwardly andwith the ends of its bottom crossbar or spreader engaged in the lowerends of the slots formed by the legs 59 and 60 of the loops 58 of thedevice 55 (FIGS. l1l4), being engaged vertically with said device (FIG.15). As shown, the kite extends downwind away from the upwind legs 57and 60 so that its lower end overlies the horizontal rod 56. By pullingon its string, the kite is pivoted upwardly, clockwise in FIGS. 11 and12, to an upright or substantially vertical position (FIG. 15). Fromthis position, the kite is adapted to ascend or rise if the force of thewind is suflicient for kite flying. The longitudinal channels of thekite deflect the wind downwardly so as to exert an upward thrust whichcauses said kite to climb or rise and the dihedral surfaces deflect thewind laterally to maintain said kite in a vertical position. Duringupward swinging movement, as well as in prone position, accidentaldisengagement of the kite from the launching device is prevented due tothe fact that the horizontal arms 62 of said device overlie the lowerends of the marginal stringers of said kite (FIG. 13). The enlargementof the lower ends of the slots, such as by means of the offset lowerends 61 of the legs 60, facilitates pivotal movement of the kite.

The vertical ascension of the kite continues so long as its string islet out or is sufliciently slack due to the dihedral surf-aces at itsupper end portion maintaining said kite in a vertical position asdistinguished from the usual inclined attitude of kites. The dihedralsurfaces are relatively fixed or restrained against any appreciableflexing and provide a positive lifting action of greater elfect than thelifting action of the flexible lower portion of the kite. Therefore, thenose of the kite is constantly urged toward or seeks an absolutevertical position and the movement of said kite is stabilized. Althoughthe lower portion of the kite flexes more or less constantly due togusts of wind varying the tension on the lower end of the bridle, thelongitudinal channels continually deflect the wind downward so as toexert an upward thrust on said kite. It is readily apparent that thecrossbars, particularly the bottom crossbar, limit flexing of the lowerportion of the kite; however, when the major portion of the centerstringer is attached only to the cover, the flexing or collapsing ofsaid lower portion is sufficient to permit said center stringer to movetoward and away from the plane of the marginal stringers, as shown bythe broken lines 34 and 34" in FIG. 7, and function as a fin whichassists the stabilizing action of said kite.

This movement increases and decreases the curvature of the longitudinalchannels, as shown by the broken lines '51 and 51", whereby the flexiblelower portion of the kitev tends to vibrate so as to destroy or impair alarge part of its lifting action and permit the greater lifting actionof the dihedral surfaces to direct said kite vertically. Theself-stabilizing action of the kite may be amplified by letting out thekite string whereby the lower portion of the center stringer isunrestrained and is free to move with the flexing of the lower portionof said kite, which lower portion tends to assume the contour shown bythe broken lines 34' and 51'. When the kite string is held againstclimbing movement, the center stringer is restrained against movementrelative to the margin-a1 stringers and the lower portion of the kitetends to assume the contour shown by the broken lines 34" and 51 in FIG.7 whereby said lower portion is relatively taut. Contrary toconventional kites, however, moving of the kite string upwardly relativeto the bridle reduces the stability of the kite by permitting greaterrelative movement of the center stringer and flexing of the lowerportion of said kite thereby facilitating stunting, turning and loopingof said kite. Stability is increased by relative downward movement ofthe kite string which restrains the center stringer to a greater extentand permits less flexing of the lower portion of the kite.

It is pointed out that the structure of the kite is subject tovariation. For example, the upper end of the marginal stringers couldterminate at the top spreader and a cord or string (not shown) insteadof the converging end portions could extend from said upper ends to oraround the upper extremity of the center string or an arcuate or bowed,one-piece reinforcement (not shown) could connect the margins of theupper end portion of the kite. It is believed unnecessary to illustratethese conventional modifications. If desired, the center stringer may berela tively immovable throughout its length by being attached to thebottom crossbar as well as the other crossbars or spreaders. The bottomcrossbar 38 is shown in FIG. 16 as having a perpendicular arm or element64, similar to the arm 23 of the top spreader 21 but of greater length,connecting its medial portion to the lower end of the center stringer34. Also, one or more of the crossbars 43 could be of this modifiedconstruction so as to reinforce and prevent movement of the centerstringer relative to marginal stringers. Even though the center stringeris relatively immovable, the lower portion of the cover 32 issufiiciently full or loose to provide the longitudinal channels 51 andpermit flexing of said lower portion in a manner similar to but of lessamplification than when the major portion of said stringer isunrestrained. If desirable or necessary, the fullness or looseness ofthe cover may be increased to at least partially oflset the immovabilityof the center stringer. This modification renders the kite slightly lessstable. It is most essential that the longitudinal halves or sections 16or 36 of the kite be mirror images or as identical as possible so thatsaid kite is aerodynamically balanced and capable of substantiallyabsolute vertical ascension. Manifestly, the cover of the kite maybedecorated so as to have the appearance of a rocket or missile, it beingcontemplated that a dummy nose cone as well as fire-like tail streamersmay be provided. The narrow, oblong shape of the kite and its verticalascension and launching characteristics accentuate the resemblance to arocket or missile.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof andvarious changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in thedetails of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope ofthe appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A kite including an oblong frame having marginal reinforcing meanscoextensive with its longitudinal margins and central reinforcing meanscoextensive with its longitudinal center, the marginal reinforcing meansbeing in a common plane and having upper end portions converging towardand connected to the upper end portion of the central reinforcing means,rigid bottom means extending transversely between and connecting thelower ends of said marginal means in spaced relationship, rigid topmeans extending transversely between and spacing apart the upper endportions of the central and marginal means, said central means beingadapted to extend at an angle in a plane perpendicular to the plane ofsaid marginal means, and a membrane secured to and supported by saidcentral and marginal means and having an upper portion conforming to theangular relationship of the upper end portions of said central andmarginal means so as to provide a .pair of dihedral surfaces fordeflecting air currents laterally of the kite and directing said kitevertically, the lower portion of the membrane being of a greater widththan the frame and providing transverse fullness to permit flexing ofsaid lower portion for deflecting air currents downwardly of the kiteand exerting an upward thrust on said kite, the rigid top means being onthe downwind side of said central means and membrane whereby thedihedral surfaces converge upwind of the kite.

2. A kite as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bottom rigid transversemeans is connected to the lower end of the longitudinal centralreinforcing means in spaced relation to the plane of the longitudinalmarginal reinforcing means whereby said central means is relativelyimmovable.

3. A kite as set forth in claim 1 wherein the major portion of thelongitudinal central reinforcing means is attached only to the membraneso as to be free to undergo flexing movement with the lower portion ofsaid membrane.

4-. A kite as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fullness of the lowerportion of the membrane is suflicient to provide a longitudinal airdeflection channel of substantially arcuate cross-section between thecentral and each marginal longitudinal reinforcing means.

5. A kite as set forth in claim 4 wherein the width of the lower portionof the membrane increases progressively downward whereby thelongitudinal channels of said membrane increase in size progressivelydownward.

6. A kite as set forth in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal marginalreinforcing means includes substantially rigid members extending betweenthe bottom and top rigid transverse means so as to prevent flexing ofthe longitudinal margins of the kite.

7. A kite as set forth in claim 1 wherein the central longitudinalreinforcing means includes a substantially rigid member.

8. A kite as set forth in claim 1 wherein the membrane has itslongiutdinal center secured to the central longitudinal reinforcingmeans and the width of the lower portion of said membrane increasesdownward progressively to provide a longitudinal air deflection channelbetween said central means and each longitudinal marginal reinforcingmeans, the channels being complementary and having the shape of alongitudinal conical section.

9. A kite as set forth in claim 1 including intermediate rigid meansextending transversely between and spacing apart the intermediateportions of the longitudinal marginal reinforcing means.

10. A kite as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rigid transverse meansare removable to permit longitudinal folding of the kite.

11. In combination with a kite of the character described havingmarginal reinforcing means at its longitudinal margins and rigid meansextending transversely of its bottom with the lower ends of itslongitudinal marginal reinforcing means projecting downwardly beyond itsbottom rigid transverse means, a launching device including meansforming an upwardly facing opening for receiving said bottom transversemeans, and means overlying the projecting ends of said longitudinalmarginal means when said kite is in a substantially horizontal positionwhereby said kite is confined until it is pivoted to an uprightposition.

12. In combination with a kite having longitudinal marginal framemembers and means projecting laterally from the frame members adjacentand above their lower ends, a launching device including means forming apair of spaced upwardly facing openings for receiving the lateral means,and means adjacent the openings for overlying the lower ends of saidframe members when said kite is in a substantially horizontal positionso as to prevent disengagement of said lateral means from said openingswhereby said kite is confined until it is pivoted to an uprightposiiton.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein the launching deviceis formed of wire and has a pair of parallel loops forming the pair ofopenings in parallel relationship for receiving the laterally projectingmeans of the kite.

14. A kite including an oblong relatively narrow membrane having a rigidupper end portion, a trio of stringers supporting the longitudinalmargins and the longitudinal center of the membrane, the marginalstringers being in a common plane and the center stringer being disposedmedially thereof so as to divide the membrane into a pair ofcomplementary longitudinal sections, spreaders extending transverselybetween and maintaining said marginal stringers in spaced relationship,the upper end portions of said marginal stringers converging toward andconnected to the upper end portion of said center stringer and coactingtherewith to support the upper end portion of said membrane, one of thespreaders having means for supporting said center stringer in inclinedrelation to and in a plane at a right angle to the plane of saidmarginal stringers whereby said membrane upper end portion is angular incross-section and has a pair of dihedral surfaces for deflecting aircurrents laterally of the kite and directing said kite vertically, thelower portion of each longitudinal section of said membrane being of awidth greater than the spacing of each marginal stringer from saidinclined center stringer and providing fullness to permit flexing ofsaid lower portions of the membrane sections for deflecting air currentsdownwardly of the kite and exerting an upward thrust on said kite, saidspreaders being on the downwind side of said membrane and centerstringer whereby the dihedral services converge upwind of the kite.

15. A kite as set forth in claim 14 wherein the fullness of the lowerportion of each longitudinal section of the membrane is sufficient toprovide a longitudinal channel of substantially arcuate cross-sectiontherein.

16. A kite as set forth in claim 15 wherein the width of the lowerportion of each longitudinal section of the membrane increasesprogressively downward whereby the longitudinal channels increase insize progressively downward.

17. A kite as set forth in claim 14 wherein the lower portion of thelongitudinal center stringer is attached only to the membrane so as tobe free to undergo flexing movement with the lower portion of saidmembrane.

18. A kite as set forth in claim 14 wherein one of the spreaders is atthe lower end portion of the kite and has means for holding the centerstringer in spaced relation to the common plane of the marginalstringers whereby said center stringer is relatively immovable.

19. A kite as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rigid top means includesmeans for supporting the central reinforcing means at an angle in aplane perpendicular to the plane of the marginal reinforcing means.

20. A kite including a membrane having lateral margins convergingupwardly in an apex, a pair of frame members substantially coextensivewith and attached to the lateral margins of the membrane so as to haveconverging upper ends at the apex of said membrane, an elongate uprightmember attached to at least the major portion of the vertical center ofsaid membrane medially of the frame members so as to divide saidmembrane into a pair of complementary vertical sections, and spreadermeans extending transversely between and connecting said frame membersin spaced relationship, the spreader means being of a length less thanthe width of said membrane at the point of connection of said spreadermeans to said frame members whereby said membrane has transversefullness to permit flexing thereof relative to said frame members, atleast the major portion of the center member being movable with saidmembrane and adapted to have a kite string connected to at least itsupper portion whereby, when the kite is flown, said center memberextends in inclined relation to and in a plane at a right angle to theplane of said frame members and the upper portion of said membrane isangular in cross-section so as to provide a pair of dihedral surfacesfor deflecting air current laterally of the kite and directing said kitevertically, said spreader means being on the downwind side of saidmembrane and center member whereby the dihedral surfaces converge upwindof the kite.

21. A kite as set forth in claim 20 wherein the elongate center memberis substantially coextensive with the membrane and has connection withthe upper ends of the frame members.

22. A kite including a frame having a pair of members at itslongitudinal margins, the frame members being in a common plane andhaving upper ends portions converging toward each other in an apex, atleast one spreader extending transversely between the intermediateportions of said frame members and connecting said members in spacedrelationship, a membrane secured to and supported by said frame membersand of a Width greater than the frame so as to have transverse fullnessfor flexing relative thereto, and an elongate center member attached toand extending longitudinally of at least the major portion of themembrane medially of said frame members so as to divide said membraneinto a pair of complementary longitudinal sections, at least the majorportion of the center member being movable with said membrane andadapted to have a kite string connected to at least its upper portionwhereby, when the kite is flown, and said center member extends ininclined relation to and in a plane at a right angle to the plane ofsaid frame members and the upper portion of said membrane is angular incross-section so as to provide a pair of dihedral surfaces fordeflecting air currents laterally of the kite and directing said kitevertically, the spreader being on the downwind side of membrane andcenter member whereby the dihedral surfaces converge upwind of the kite.

23. A kite as set forth in claim 22 wherein the elongate center memberis substantially coextensive with the membrane and has connection withthe upper ends of the frame members.

24. A kite including an oblong frame having marginal reinforcing meanscoextensive with its longitudinal margins and central reinforcing meanscoextensive with its longitudinal center, the marginal reinforcing meansbeing in a common plane and having upper end portions converging towardand connected to the upper end portion of the central reinforcing means,rigid bottom means extending transversely between and connecting thelower ends of said marginal means in spaced relationship, rigid topmeans extending transversely between and spacing apart the upper endportions of the central and marginal means, said central means beingadapted to extend at an angle in a plane perpendicular to the plane ofsaid marginal means, a membrane secured to and supported by said centraland marginal means and having an upper portion conforming to the anglerelationship of the upper end portions of said central and marginalmeans so as to provide a pair of dihedral surfaces for deflecting aircurrents laterally of the kite and directing said kite vertically, thelower portion of the membrane being of greater width than the frame andproviding transverse fullness to permit flexing of said lower portionfor deflecting air currents downwardly of the kite and exerting anupward thrust on said kite, and means extending laterally of the lowerends of said marginal reinforcing means in combination with a launchingdevice having means for receiving and confining the lateral means whenthe kite is in a substantially horizontal position and permittingpivoting of said kite to an upright position and disengagement of saidlateral means upon vertical lifting of the upright kite.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,005,810 10/1911Conyne 244-153 2,463,135 3/1949 Bach 244-153 OTHER REFERENCES PopularMechanics, pp. -89, November 1961.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Examiner.

20. A KITE INCLUDING A MEMBRANE HAVING LATERAL MARGINS CONVERGINGUPWARDLY IN AN APEX, A PAIR OF FRAME MEMBERS SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVEWITH AND ATTACHED TO THE LATERAL MARGINS OF THE MEMBRANE SO AS TO HAVECONVERGING UPPER ENDS AT THE APEX OF SAID MEMBRANE, AN ELONGATED UPRIGHTMEMBER ATTACHED TO AT LEAST THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE VERTICAL CENTER OFSAID MEMBRANE MEDIALLY OF THE FRAME MEMBERS SO AS TO DIVIDE SAIDMEMBRANE INTO A PAIR OF COMPLEMENTARY VERTICAL SECTIONS, AND SPREADERMEANS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY BETWEEN AND CONNECTING SAID FRAME MEMBERSIN SPACED RELATIONSHIP, THE SPREADER MEANS BEING OF A LENGTH LESS THANTHE WIDTH OF SAID MEMBRANE AT THE POINT OF CONNECTION OF SAID SPREADERMEANS TO SAID FRAME MEMBERS WHEREBY SAID MEMBRANE HAS TRANSVERSEFULLNESS TO PER-